Sorry seems to be the hardest word...in Nationalist Dundee

The last year or so has seen a raft of apologies from SNP luminaries, including Nicola Sturgeon over fraudster Abdul Rauf, John Swinney regarding the SVR, Stewart Stevenson after the winter weather chaos and even Alex Salmond in relation to the Homecoming.

However, this welcome evidence of humility does not seem to have permeated down to Councillor Ken Guild, leader of Dundee City Council's SNP administration. During the recent budget debate Labour wanted to reduce the council's bill for alcohol served in City Chambers on the basis that funds would be better spent on "bairns not booze". Cue accusations of hypocrisy from Mr Guild, who pointed out the "well-stocked drinks cabinet" found in the administration leader's office when the SNP took control of Dundee.

Which in turn got his Labour opponent Kevin Keenan more than a tad annoyed, because he claimed that the swally in question was bought by the Labour group rather than from the public purse. Cue a threat of legal action, and an investigation by the council's chief executive.

Which seems to have vindicated Councillor Keenan, but instead of an apology Mr Guild has used the opportunity to puff up the budget "achievement" in "the context of unprecedented financial challenges", blah, blah, with the nearest to an expression of regret being his "disappointment that this achievement has been overshadowed by a remark made during the political cut and thrust" of the debate, which seems to be an attempt to shift the blame rather than take it on the chin, thus perhaps not unlike MSP Bill Aitken's recent remarks following his resignation as justice committee convener.

No wonder Mr Guild wants to "move on in the best interests of the council and the city as a whole". Aye, right. The best interests of Mr Guild, by the sounds of it.

Would something even resembling an apology be too difficult, both to Mr Keenan and to council tax payers for the resources deployed to sort out this storm in a whisky glass?